The SMOM is an elite Roman Catholic Knighthood headed by a Grandmaster who works at the behest of the Pope. Membership is derived from Politics, Industry, Finance, Military, Intelligence, Media and Entertainment. Knights and Dames first swear loyalty to the Pope and then to their country. "Defending the faith" and helping fellow members while serving the Order constitutes their ethics.

Tuesday, 2 September 2008

Daniel Imperato

Daniel Imperato (b. March 9, 1958, Boston, Massachusetts) is an American businessman, currently a candidate for the Libertarian Party nomination for President of the United States in 2008. Imperato at one time also sought the Green Party and Reform Party nominations. A resident of West Palm Beach, Florida, the 2008 election is Imperato's first run for political office. Imperato's campaign literature describes him as an "independent Libertarian" and an "alternative candidate" for the Presidency. He is married and has one stepson.

Early life

Imperato grew up in Revere, Massachusetts. Daniel is the son of Paul "Sonny" Imperato and the late Mary C. Imperato. The Imperatos were originally immigrants from Italy. When promoting The Red Worm (A film he supposedly produced), Imperato claimed his family was descended from the Roman Emperor Nero. [1] While living in Boston, Massachusetts, Imperato played hockey and at one point was a semi-professional ice hockey player.[citation needed]

Honors & Donations

Imperato claims to currently be a Papal Knight [1] and a Knight of Malta [2]. Daniel Imperato also claims to be a knight of the Orden Bonaria[citation needed], and that he serves as the organization's United Nations representative.[citation needed]

Imperato was a board member and headed up the Palm Beach, Florida branch office of the African Center Foundation. Imperato's website claims the organization is a United Nations non-governmental organization [3] but in reality only works with the United Nations Economic and Social Council [4]. Imperato also is a Chaplain for the Latin/African American Chaplain's Association [5].

Imperato has also purchased several awards from the Republican Party. His campaign site while mentioning these "awards" (even though they in no way signify achievement) fails to mention that he paid for them [6].[citation needed] These awards include a 2004 NRCC (National Republican Congressional Committee) Honorary Chairman of the Business Advisory Council (an award which is purchased through a donation to the NRCC, see NRCC "award winners"), a Ronald Reagan Gold Medal Winner (purchased title through donation), and a 2007 recipient of the Order of Merit from the NRCC (purchased title through donation).[2]

Campaign

Imperato has participated in several candidate forums held by third parties. To date, Imperato has not secured the nomination of any political party. He has been vocal on many "culture war" issues, including keeping religious symbols, such as the Ten Commandments, and religious references, such as "In God We Trust", in American government. [3].

Imperato has appealed very strongly to the Hispanic community with a pro-immigration policy, and has been covered by many Hispanic media outlets. [4] In October 2007, Imperato spoke at the Hispanic Achievers Awards Banquet and the HAP Institute Forum on Energy Policy in Las Vegas, Nevada [5]Imperato has supported ballot access for third parties, meeting with the Oklahomans for Ballot Access Reform Movement in Oklahoma. [6].

Imperato appeared in front of the Reform Party of the United States of America, for their consideration as their Presidential candidate in 2008, as reported in the Tampa Bay Sun, March 10, 2007. In addition, Imperato participated in a debate with other candidates at the Libertarian Party State Chairs Conference in Orlando on March 19, 2007. Imperato is touring the country visiting Libertarian Conventions in ten states. [7]. At the North Carolina convention Imperto claimed he had spent about $2 million of his own money on his campaign [7], but his FEC fileing showed this to be false, having personally contributed $33,000 of the $33,150 raised [8]. The Libertarian Nominating convention is scheduled for May 2008 and the Green Party Convention is scheduled for the Summer of 2008. Imperato has been placed on the ballot for the Libertarian Party Presidential primary election in California.[8] On July 10, 2007

He joined other candidates at the Independent Green Party of Virginia Presidential Debate at the National Press Club in Washington, D.C., moderated by CBS newsman, and former host of Meet the Press, Marvin Kalb. [9] July 12-15, 2007 Imperato attended the Green Party national meeting in Reading, Pennsylvania. Imperato was among the ten candidates participating in a two hour forum before 200 Green Party delegates.[9] At the forum Imperato was highly criticized for his use of the Green Party election database on his website under the heading Independents Across America. The implication that Green candidates were independents, and his refusal to remove this section sealed his fate with the party, because in the words of one delegate "Imperato clearly demonstrated his true colors and lack of interest in helping to grow the party".[citation needed] On July 13th, Imperato attended the opening of the new Green Party office in Washington, D.C. Speaking to assembled Greens.

I am always intrigued by the Libertarian Party and its candidates and positions. Daniel Imperato is particularly fascinating. I do think that he has done an especially wise thing — reaching out to other “third parties” in order to help them all have access to ballots. He even addressed the Green Party in July of 2007 on the subject of ballot access.

[...]

He is a Knight of Malta, a Papal Knight, and has apparently been made recently Grand Prior of the Orden Bonaria… which is certainly something not on most candidates’ resumes.